Sabotage attempts reported at polling stations in occupied Ukraine as Russia holds local elections

By The Associated Press

Russian authorities have reported multiple attempts to sabotage voting in local elections taking place in occupied areas of Ukraine. Local elections are taking place this weekend in 79 regions of Russia and voting is also underway in the four Ukrainian regions that Moscow illegally annexed last year as well as in occupied Crimea. Voters are choosing local governors and legislatures as well as city and municipal councilors. In Moscow, Mayor Sergei Sobyanin is running for re-election, and is unlikely to lose a race in which all contenders come from Kremlin-backed parties. A Russian political analyst speaking to the AP called the elections “empty,” and said the war in Ukraine is not on the agenda at all.